The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1885.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1385, 29 August 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1885.

Politics have now reached the height of absurdity in this colony. We have a Government in whom the House have no confidence, and an Opposition incapable of removing tin in from office owing to disunion in its ranks. We are not by any means in love with the present Government ; they have disappointed the colony ; they have failed miserably in realising the expectations they raised, and, in fine, have done nothing to iiupire confidence in them. Still, we think, that to remove them from office just now would be fraught with danger. Supposing they were removed, What would be (he result? Who are to be their successors ? The House would not have Major Atkinson on any account ; Mr Ormond’s peculiar views on a Land and Income Tax is out of the question ; Mr Montgomery has neither the ability nor the influence to lead the House ; and Sir George Grey would not find a dozen ready to follow him. To remove the present Ministry from office would therefore only lead to the chaotic state ot parties which was witnessed last session. No doubt the Government see this, and that is one of the reasons they are sticking to office with such tenacity. The Opposition also seem to see how useless it would be to oust them, as it worfld be impossible to get a team together that would command the support of a majority. We are apt to blame the Government for their shortcomings, but what can tl py do ? J hey are in a hopeless minority, and must obey an Opposition which is far more numerous but less united. It is obvious therefore that it is impossible for them to carry out tbeir policy, and if they resort to log-rolling to please refractory sections of their party, they are not to blame so much as those who ofLr their votes for sale, There is every excuse for the Government S there is none for the Opposition. Its ranks are princi pally make up of brainless windbags and unprincipled self-seeking politicians, whose highest aspirations are to get into office. We do not wish it to be understood that we include amongst

these the members of the late Administration. Major Atkinson and these who constituted his Ministry, stand head and shoulders above the molly crowd that goes by the name of Her Majesty’s Opposition. With regard to capacity, honesty, and a desire to improve the cni.dit.inn of the country, they have no i equals on that side of the House ; yet when Major A'kinson brought fovwaid rcso'uiions last Ihurdsay evening, which amounted to a no-confidence motion, some of those who were loudest in their desire to oust the Ministry, voted against him, for no other reason than that they were afraid the carrying of his motion would reinstate him in office, Mr Montgomery—a would-be leader—said that he bad held the opinion that Major Atkinson should be relegated to non-official life, and on that ground would vote against him, although he had no confi lence in the Ministry. Mr Hislop vrded against Major Atkinson, although he spoke in his favor, and so on with many of the others. It does not say much for Mr Montgomery’s sagacity to say that Major Atkinson must be relegated to non-official life. To say so is to utter palpable nonsense, for no one but a person troubled with a fearful amount of stupidity could possildy believe that Major Atkinson is condemned to return never again to official life. Major Atkinson is undoubtedly the coming man, hut we are inclined to think his time has not yet arrived. But perhaps the most interesting point to discuss is, What has led to this disorganised state of parties ? Our reply is: Small electorates, Provincial jealousies, and self-seeking politicians. The small electorates return men whose only qualifications for the position is that they am local men, and whose highest aspiration is to gel something for their district. Provincial jealousy has led to the formation ol cliques, who'-e behests must ho obeyed or else they will give a block vote against the Government. Otago men say that Otago has been the milch cow of the colony, and that they will not allow her to be milked as she has been in the past any longer—they must get value tor the milk ; Canterbury lias been wronged out of millions, and Canterbury men must have money to construct the West Const Railway ; Auckland has a similar complaint to make, and soon to the end of the chapter, in a House composed of intriguing cliques like these, it is impossible to conduct the affairs of the nation honestly. For instance, it is the East and West Coast and Nelson Railway that is keeping the present Government in office. They are blamed —and justly so—for countenancing the achemes brought forward for its construction, but what can they do? If (hey offered opposition to it they would be hurled from office at once. Mr Rob leston has opposed it, with the result that he is hated in Christchurch, where he was once caressed. It is not the fault of the Government so much as the disreputable clique that has forced it on them, and that will force it on until it is constructed. We have hitherto opposed the construction of this line, because we believe it will not. pay ; but pay or pay not, it must be constructed now. The districts Interested are represented by some 25 or 80 members, and they are determined it shall be made. No Government can possibly stand against a clique so powerful, and consequently good Government of the colony will he impossible until this line is sanctioned.